Sharing the Skies with Santa

This Christmas, our crew will be sharing the skies with Santa. As our vital service is operational for 365 days a year, Christmas Day will be like any other day for the crew.

The team of specialist Doctors, Paramedics and Pilots will be working together throughout the festive period to provide the best emergency care for the communities of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Of course, crews would not be operative at all if it wasn’t for the overwhelming support we receive from the public. In 2017, supporters went to incredible lengths to raise the essential funds needed to keep the emergency service operational.

We have around 200 volunteers who selflessly offer their time to provide help and support throughout the year in a wide range of fundraising.

Not only do we have passionate volunteers but also corporate sponsors who pushed themselves to incredible limits in challenges to raise money and awareness for the charity. They’ve ran marathons, climbed the highest of peaks and even competed in ice runs. A group of 25 people, including three former patients and three volunteers,climbed Africa’s tallest Mountain, Kilimanjaro. The courageous group raised a staggering £129,267, proving the challenging seven-day trek was worthwhile.

Another mind-blowing challenge came from14-year-old supporter, Freddie,who with his mum Anita and her Partner, Matthew, cycled 190 miles in the Coast to Coast challenge. The committed trio cycled for five days, carrying their own tent and luggage. After the epic event, Freddie and his mum visited our crew at RAF Benson to present a cheque for an impressive £763.

We are also proud to be have been represented by six runners who competed in the London Marathon. The inspiring group’s efforts raised an incredible total of £7,660.

Reflecting on 2017, Ruth Dunkin Head of Community and Events Fundraising at TVAA said “On behalf of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, I would like to take this opportunity to truly thank our incredible supporters. We quite literally could not provide our vital emergency service without their help and continued support."

"Plans are well underway for an exciting 2018 and we look forward to updating our volunteers and the public on events and our progress. I would also like to wish our supporters a very merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and safe New Year.”